Salem’s Ironman 70.3 draws 2,500 athletes, closing streets Sunday

At Salem’s Ironman 70.3 in 2022, Christopher Holland stood at the finish line for 45 minutes with cheering fans, families and friends. It was an emotional scene, Holland said, and he was moved to tears as loved ones and strangers came together to celebrate the athletes’ achievements. 

“You see people pour so much energy and sacrifice into something,” Holland said. As a spectator, he felt inspired to see people of all ages and body types take on such an intimidating race and come out the other side. 

The finish line motivated Holland, owner of the Taproot Cafe in downtown Salem, to complete his first Ironman 70.3 last year after three months of training. The race, he said, was “amazing” and “a life-changing experience.” He will compete for the second time on Sunday, as the race returns to Salem for its fourth year. 

To complete the course, competitors swim 1.2 miles in the Willamette River, then transition to the bike course and ride 56 miles south on River Road and back. The race finishes with a 13.1 mile run through Minto-Brown Island Park and back to Riverfront Park.

The triathlon length, 70.3 miles, is half of a full Ironman. The race begins at 6:15 a.m.

Ironman is expected to draw 2,500 athletes to the area, according to Travel Salem, one of the groups hosting the event. Around 5,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s Ironman, according to Kara Kuh, Travel Salem’s chief marketing officer. 

“There’s a wide spectrum of athletes,” Holland said. To become an Ironman athlete, Holland suggests to “search internally for a ‘why,’” and attach a dream or motivation to the race. Then, he says, find a mentor, friend or peer who has experience. 

For Holland, the increase in Salem visitors sparked a renewed outlook on the city and its beauty. Since Salem began hosting Ironman, Holland says he can look at the city through visitors’ eyes and appreciate the environment more.

“It’s changing lives for the positive,” Holland said, referring to the economic impact Ironman brings to Salem. 

Last year, Travel Salem signed a 5-year contract with Ironman 70.3 that would bring thousands of worldwide competitors and visitors each summer until 2028. 

Kuh said this year’s Ironman is expected to produce over $11 million in economic impact for the Salem area as visitors stay in local hotels and dine at restaurants. 

Travel Salem is partnering with the city of Salem, Travel Oregon, the Willamette Valley Visitors Association and Sport Oregon to host this year’s race. 

A total of eight streets in downtown and south Salem will be closed to the public during the race Sunday, with others open for local traffic only.

The scheduled street closures and expected traffic impacts are available in an online report. 

On Sunday, the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge will be closed to the public for the race. Traffic caused by Ironman is expected to affect Salem residents most of the day Sunday, from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m.

These streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• Northeast Front Street (southbound lanes) from Southeast Court to Commercial streets
• Southeast Commercial Street (southbound lanes) from Southeast Trade to Mission streets
• South Mission Street (eastbound and westbound lanes) from Southeast Commercial to Saginaw streets
• South Saginaw Street (southbound and northbound lanes) from South Mission to Kearney 
• South Saginaw Street (southbound and northbound lanes) from South Kearney to Owens streets
• South Kearney Street (closes at 8 a.m.) (eastbound and westbound lanes) from South Saginaw to Fir streets
• South Owens Street (eastbound and westbound lanes) from South Saginaw Street to Fairmount Ave
• South River Road (southbound lanes) from South Fairmount Ave to South Minto Island Road

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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